I am horribly behind in my weekly blog! I fasted on Monday, but I am just now able to work on it! Work has been hectic, but in a good way. We have had to put out a few fires, but the outcome was good. But, the main thing is that I’ve been working on my church’s newsletter, which comes out Sunday.
I was telling a fellow editor that God is maturing me. I spend a lot of hours editing and laying out the material, and I am always very upset when we miss something. BUT, the mission of the newsletter is to edify people with the written word. Anyone can open the newsletter and find mistakes if that is what they are choosing to do. What I really want to know is are the articles identifying the reader.
I am starting to get a glimpse of the person God created me to be. It’s actually pretty cool to see. What I have realized is that there are people and situations that are coming against to me to challenge this. However, I told God my light needs to shine that much brighter to battle their darkness. People can choose to be bitter, angry, and resentful, but that is NOT who I am.
Last week, my pastor asked us to fast and pray Wednesday and Sunday, so I was able to join in those fasts as well. He has us praying for:
• The spiritual and natural growth of the church
• The protection of the saints (pastor & wife esp.) from satan's attacks
• For an outpouring of God's power in our services
• For those that are sick
On Sunday, he spoke out of Psalm 127, which I used for my devotion.
1Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
3Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
I focused on verse one. I went for a walk during lunch, and I was thinking about the marriages that have ended in divorce. I started thinking about marriage and how God’s hand is crucial in a marriage. I kept thinking, “Except the LORD build the marriage,” and “Except the LORD keep the marriage.” It just seems like marriages are being infiltrated by outside forces and destroyed, which is very sad!
I started thinking about my life. I know that God has His Hand on me. I am very thankful for God’s favor in my life. I am thankful that God has built and kept my life. I think of the times I have left my front door unlocked on accident. Thankfully, no one broke into my place. I remember the time I left my car unlocked parked on the street (I normally park in our garage) for a week, and my car was still there when I got back. I think of the safety and protection during my travels.
I prayed for the points my pastor asked us to. I prayed that my church would show love one to another. I prayed that God’s presence be shown not so much in the jump or the shout, but in the outpouring of His love!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Week 12
On Sunday, my pastor’s sermon was out of Deuteronomy 30. He used verses 15 – 19. I decided to use this chapter as my devotional.
What struck me was verse 11. In the NIV, the message is clear. What God is commanding us in His commandments isn’t too difficult or beyond our reach. Now, there are times when it seems like all this self denial is impossible. It seems like keeping the commandments are hard and impossible. We live in a world where we pamper our flesh and deny ourselves little. Oh, to go back to a much simpler time, but I guess humanity has always struggled with this.
I’m constantly amazed about how God’s Word tells us, “I will bless you IF.” The problem is that we want the blessings without making any sacrifice. Like time. I almost complained about how busy I was and how I didn’t have time to do things like exercise and keep a food journal. Then, I realized how much time I spend doing idle things like watching TV. So, yes I have the time. I just need to sacrifice some of my pamper me time, which is really down time, on doing things for my health.
When I read verse 15, the choice seemed pretty easy to me! I can choose life and prosperity or I can choose death and destruction. When I read verse 19, it tells me, “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” When it's put like that, what other choice would I make? So, I choose to return to God and obey Him. I choose life!
I notice that I keep praying about relationships. I realize one in particular has me confused. In my opinion, someone in my life is being a little cruel to me, but I don’t know why. All I can do is pray about it!
I realized something yesterday. I really don’t want to fast every week this year. I’m actually not really a big fan of fasting at all. BUT, the fact that I don’t want to do this lets me know that it’s probably good for me to deny myself getting out of this.
Along the same lines, I have decided to not drink alcohol in 2011. I’m not much of a drinker, but I will have the occasional drink. I’m always weary of drinks, drug, and cigarettes because of all the addiction that runs rampant in my family. It’s def something my pastor talks against. The fact that the Bible’s comments about it are along the lines of not being drunk gave me a little leeway. For whatever reason, I decided I wouldn’t drink at all this year. Sometimes I regret deciding this too. But again, it’s probably good for me to deny myself.
I can tell you that doing this makes me realize how quickly weeks can past and turn into months. It explains all so well how quickly time does in fact move.
What struck me was verse 11. In the NIV, the message is clear. What God is commanding us in His commandments isn’t too difficult or beyond our reach. Now, there are times when it seems like all this self denial is impossible. It seems like keeping the commandments are hard and impossible. We live in a world where we pamper our flesh and deny ourselves little. Oh, to go back to a much simpler time, but I guess humanity has always struggled with this.
I’m constantly amazed about how God’s Word tells us, “I will bless you IF.” The problem is that we want the blessings without making any sacrifice. Like time. I almost complained about how busy I was and how I didn’t have time to do things like exercise and keep a food journal. Then, I realized how much time I spend doing idle things like watching TV. So, yes I have the time. I just need to sacrifice some of my pamper me time, which is really down time, on doing things for my health.
When I read verse 15, the choice seemed pretty easy to me! I can choose life and prosperity or I can choose death and destruction. When I read verse 19, it tells me, “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” When it's put like that, what other choice would I make? So, I choose to return to God and obey Him. I choose life!
I notice that I keep praying about relationships. I realize one in particular has me confused. In my opinion, someone in my life is being a little cruel to me, but I don’t know why. All I can do is pray about it!
I realized something yesterday. I really don’t want to fast every week this year. I’m actually not really a big fan of fasting at all. BUT, the fact that I don’t want to do this lets me know that it’s probably good for me to deny myself getting out of this.
Along the same lines, I have decided to not drink alcohol in 2011. I’m not much of a drinker, but I will have the occasional drink. I’m always weary of drinks, drug, and cigarettes because of all the addiction that runs rampant in my family. It’s def something my pastor talks against. The fact that the Bible’s comments about it are along the lines of not being drunk gave me a little leeway. For whatever reason, I decided I wouldn’t drink at all this year. Sometimes I regret deciding this too. But again, it’s probably good for me to deny myself.
I can tell you that doing this makes me realize how quickly weeks can past and turn into months. It explains all so well how quickly time does in fact move.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Week 11
I’m so behind! I did my devotional day on Monday, but I am now just getting around to writing about it. Work has been crazy from sun up to sun down, but I guess better busy than bored. Plus, I’m working on the next issue of my church’s newsletter, which is something I enjoy. I so love words!
For my text, I read Deuteronomy 8. I was struck by how much God has done in my life. My faith and belief in God are a huge part of my identity. People who don’t believe in God will try to call it luck, happenstance, etc., but I know it for what it is. It’s the fact that God’s Hand has been on me from the beginning.
I spent a lot of my life resenting the fact that my mom sent me to be raised by my aunt. This feeling of abandonment and being unwanted has plagued me a lot of my life as a result. But, if I take the time to consider how my life could have turned out if my mom had raised me that life doesn’t look anything like I have now. Yes, I am talking about the material blessings right now. But, I’m also talking about the amazing community that surrounds me with love and understanding.
Basically, what I’m trying to say is that I would be a fool to forget God’s Hand in all of this. It’s tempting to think very highly of my intelligence and brilliance, but if I look at some of the things that could have happened, I know it was God’s favor in my life. Like the fact that I could be HIV+ or dead by now. Like I could have ended up in an abusive relationship. There are so many things God has protected me from that it would take pages to fill.
In Deuteronomy 8, God is telling us that the best way to show appreciate for God is by keeping his statutes and commandments, which is not always easy. There are things that I want to do! I will be honest and say for example that there was a time I was not abstinent, and that is what it is. Then, I remember reading about Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. Joseph’s reason for not succumbing to her advances? He couldn’t do this sin against God. Now, I had read the story a million times, but over six years ago, I read it and it struck home. God has blessed me and protected me, yet I couldn’t sacrifice this area of my life? I realized that God wasn’t trying to keep from some great pleasure; God was trying to protect me from the consequences that can come from premarital sex. Pregnancy and STDs. Please pray that I am able to maintain my abstinence. Sometimes I don’t always want to do what is right!
But it’s not only the sins of adultery, fornication, murder, etc. There are also things like not showing love or being prideful that rear their ugly head. Plus, there are also things that we put in front of God. I can spend two hours watching a movie, but I find it hard to spend 15 minutes talking to God without getting distracted? This should not be!
How I can demand the blessings of God, when I am not willing to make any sacrifices. As we approach Easter or Resurrection Sunday, we are reminded that God so loved us that He gave His only begotten Son. A great way to show our love and appreciation is to keep His commandments.
For my text, I read Deuteronomy 8. I was struck by how much God has done in my life. My faith and belief in God are a huge part of my identity. People who don’t believe in God will try to call it luck, happenstance, etc., but I know it for what it is. It’s the fact that God’s Hand has been on me from the beginning.
I spent a lot of my life resenting the fact that my mom sent me to be raised by my aunt. This feeling of abandonment and being unwanted has plagued me a lot of my life as a result. But, if I take the time to consider how my life could have turned out if my mom had raised me that life doesn’t look anything like I have now. Yes, I am talking about the material blessings right now. But, I’m also talking about the amazing community that surrounds me with love and understanding.
Basically, what I’m trying to say is that I would be a fool to forget God’s Hand in all of this. It’s tempting to think very highly of my intelligence and brilliance, but if I look at some of the things that could have happened, I know it was God’s favor in my life. Like the fact that I could be HIV+ or dead by now. Like I could have ended up in an abusive relationship. There are so many things God has protected me from that it would take pages to fill.
In Deuteronomy 8, God is telling us that the best way to show appreciate for God is by keeping his statutes and commandments, which is not always easy. There are things that I want to do! I will be honest and say for example that there was a time I was not abstinent, and that is what it is. Then, I remember reading about Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. Joseph’s reason for not succumbing to her advances? He couldn’t do this sin against God. Now, I had read the story a million times, but over six years ago, I read it and it struck home. God has blessed me and protected me, yet I couldn’t sacrifice this area of my life? I realized that God wasn’t trying to keep from some great pleasure; God was trying to protect me from the consequences that can come from premarital sex. Pregnancy and STDs. Please pray that I am able to maintain my abstinence. Sometimes I don’t always want to do what is right!
But it’s not only the sins of adultery, fornication, murder, etc. There are also things like not showing love or being prideful that rear their ugly head. Plus, there are also things that we put in front of God. I can spend two hours watching a movie, but I find it hard to spend 15 minutes talking to God without getting distracted? This should not be!
How I can demand the blessings of God, when I am not willing to make any sacrifices. As we approach Easter or Resurrection Sunday, we are reminded that God so loved us that He gave His only begotten Son. A great way to show our love and appreciation is to keep His commandments.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Week 10
Last week was crazy and hectic. If last week had happened a year ago or six months ago, I probably would have had a meltdown. Thank God for growth! I believe that this process is helping. I expect to be in a better place in three months, six months, and ten months. I like that this is making me disciplined. It’s also putting God’s Word in my heart. I like reading about the things God has in store for me, and the things He wants for me. He wants me to have peace, joy, love, etc. I know that I don’t want this time to be spent in vain. There’s no point in taking the time for prayer and devotion if I am not going to apply it.
For my devotional on Monday, I read James 1:22-27. I need to be a better doer of the Word. In order to be a doer, I need to know what the Word says. There are times when I study the Word a lot, and then there are times, when I only open my Bible on Sunday. I need to find a happy medium to where I am more consistent, instead of feast or famine.
James 1:22-27 (King James Version)
22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
I am trying to take the spotlight off of other people and put the spotlight on me. I will confess that sometimes when I hear a sermon, I immediately think of a person I think the statement pertains to. Now, I listen and wait for the words that talk to me where I am at.
As I was praying, part of my prayer was for me to recognize growth in other people. It’s very easy for me to remember past offenses or past sins and judge the person from that angle. However, people grow, and I have to at least give people room to change.
For my devotional on Monday, I read James 1:22-27. I need to be a better doer of the Word. In order to be a doer, I need to know what the Word says. There are times when I study the Word a lot, and then there are times, when I only open my Bible on Sunday. I need to find a happy medium to where I am more consistent, instead of feast or famine.
James 1:22-27 (King James Version)
22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
I am trying to take the spotlight off of other people and put the spotlight on me. I will confess that sometimes when I hear a sermon, I immediately think of a person I think the statement pertains to. Now, I listen and wait for the words that talk to me where I am at.
As I was praying, part of my prayer was for me to recognize growth in other people. It’s very easy for me to remember past offenses or past sins and judge the person from that angle. However, people grow, and I have to at least give people room to change.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
What's It All About, LTB?
A large part of my current “crisis” is that I am having a, “What’s it all about,” internal dialogue, which isn’t a bad thing. Thoughts about purpose and legacy are coursing through my mind. What is my purpose? What legacy will I leave behind? How will I be remembered?
For my purpose, I believe I have been called to write words, which I do. I have bemoaned the fact that I am not a published author for some time. This is mainly due to my own laziness. Do I have a novel inside of me? Yes. I’m I supposed to right novel? I don’t know. The novel doesn’t exactly “glorify” God. It glorifies words I like. I realized that I do write. I “publish” a blog and my words have been published for ten years in a quarterly church newsletter. It doesn’t look the way I thought it would, and I think that sometimes gets in the way. Like, I am looking for a 6’1”, chocolate man, when God could be sending me someone 5’9” and the color of chalk. I’m just saying!
As for legacy, it’s time to begin to really look outside of myself. I write a lot of checks but my time and sweat needs to be used better. I plan to study the following scriptures and help them lead me. The first pass is the NIV and the second pass the KJV.
James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Deuteronomy 14:29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which [are] within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
Psalm 82:3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Proverbs 31:9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Jeremiah 22:3 This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.
Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.
Isaiah 1:17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
For my purpose, I believe I have been called to write words, which I do. I have bemoaned the fact that I am not a published author for some time. This is mainly due to my own laziness. Do I have a novel inside of me? Yes. I’m I supposed to right novel? I don’t know. The novel doesn’t exactly “glorify” God. It glorifies words I like. I realized that I do write. I “publish” a blog and my words have been published for ten years in a quarterly church newsletter. It doesn’t look the way I thought it would, and I think that sometimes gets in the way. Like, I am looking for a 6’1”, chocolate man, when God could be sending me someone 5’9” and the color of chalk. I’m just saying!
As for legacy, it’s time to begin to really look outside of myself. I write a lot of checks but my time and sweat needs to be used better. I plan to study the following scriptures and help them lead me. The first pass is the NIV and the second pass the KJV.
James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Deuteronomy 14:29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which [are] within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
Psalm 82:3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Proverbs 31:9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Jeremiah 22:3 This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.
Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.
Isaiah 1:17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
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